Talks are underway to safeguard the future of student housing in Middlesbrough.

Many students who attend the University of Teesside live in the Gresham area earmarked for demolition by Middlesbrough Council.

The University of Teesside has said it is in discussion with the Council and private landlords "to ensure the needs of the future student community are met".

Letting agents Kexgill and Python Properties rent houses to students in the Gresham area, and while the university does not own any properties in the area, it does manage some on behalf of private landlords.

Students living in Middlesbrough currently pay the lowest rent in the country, with the bottom charge being about £37. But there is a fear that the redevelopment of the Gresham area could push rents up.

Mark Sadler, of Kexgill, said:

"I think it will have a massive, knock-on effect, not just for us but in the area. We've got about 140 houses and it's going to hit us hard."

He believes rents would rise and says Kexgill had already increased rent in the last year.

Martin Johnson, of Python Properties said it had about 11 properties in the area.

He said: "It is a very emotive issue and it is very important to a lot of people. Overall I am broadly in support of it. I believe it will lead to improvement in Middlesbrough and we believe the improvement will be felt by tenants in Middlesbrough itself.

"Middlesbrough is slower in regeneration terms than other areas and the housing prices traditionally have been low and that has led to low rental."

A spokesman for Teesside University said: "We have been in discussion with Middlesbrough Council and private landlords to ensure that the future needs of the student community are met.

"We maintain our commitment to providing a place in University-managed or owned accommodation for every first year."